How do I stop my Shih Tzu from peeing everywhere

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated January 15, 2025

Contributions sourced from

Senior Dog Care: Managing Urinary Incontinence in Senior Dogs

BY MOLLY | EVERYTHINGSHIHTZU.COM

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As your loyal Shih Tzu dog grows older, they experience a lot of changes. As they reach their senior years, one of these changes could be trouble with urinary incontinence.

When a senior dog struggles with incontinence, it simply means they have difficulty holding their bladder, which may result in more potty accidents in your home. Incontinence is a relatively common problem for older dogs, caused by various things like UTIs, changes in hormones, anxiety, or underlying issues.

While you might get frustrated when your usually house-trained pup suddenly starts having potty accidents in the house, they are not doing it on purpose.

Sometimes, just recognizing that they cant help themselves might be enough to ease your frustration. Especially when you can put some practices into play to help manage the incontinence problem.

While incontinence may occur in senior dogs, age isn't the only reason your old dog may have trouble holding their urine.

Why Do Senior Dogs Have Issues with Incontinence?

Although any dog at any age can have incontinence problems, it is more common with older females.

However, no matter your pups gender, incontinence can be a pain in more ways than one. If you notice your Shih Tzu is having trouble holding her urine, the first step is visiting the vet.

While many common causes of incontinence are not dangerous, other more severe conditions can play a part.

For example, diabetes, certain cancers, kidney disease, liver disease, or bladder stones could be to blame.

It could also be that your dogs muscles are declining in her old age.

No matter what the reason, seeing your vet is of the utmost importance. Depending on whats causing your canine companions incontinence, the vet might be able to treat it.

At the very least, she can offer helpful tips on managing the condition if its permanent.

Here are some of the most common reasons your Shih Tzu might be dealing with urinary incontinence:

Very much like humans, as dog's age, they experience fluctuations in their hormone levels. If your senior pup cant produce enough testosterone or estrogen, the result could be trouble controlling the bladder.

If this is the case with your furry friend, your vet might recommend hormone replacement therapy or medication to help.

If your dog has a urinary tract infection (UTI), shell feel like she needs to go to the bathroom a lot. Often, shell experience trouble controlling her bladder, and shell likely dribble urine.

UTIs can often happen in older dogs, but luckily they are usually treatable with medication to eliminate the infection.

However, in some cases, the situation can be reversed, and incontinence can cause a UTI. In this case, the medicine wont do much good since something else is causing the incontinence problem.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)

As dogs get older, they can experience a decline in their mental function, resulting in behavior changes often referred to canine cognitive dysfunction.

It causes similar issues in canines as dementia does in humans. It can affect your pups ability to remember, and in some cases, she may not even realize shes going to the bathroom.

Anxiety and stress is another issue that can either cause incontinence or be a result of incontinence. Therefore, it can be tricky to determine which came first (kind of like the age-old chicken-or-egg debate).

Talk with your vet to get to the root of the issue. If anxiety is to blame, your vet will help put a plan together to help you tackle the cause of your pups stress and anxiety.

Tips for Managing Senior Dog Incontinence

After meeting with the vet and figuring out the cause for your Shih Tzu's incontinence, you can develop a game plan for dealing with it.

You can knock out many reasons for incontinence with medication and treatment, but there are situations in which your dogs incontinence will be a reality for her lifetime.

When this happens, the best thing you can do is make some changes to ensure your faithful friend is comfortable.

You can also make changes to ensure you dont have to spend a good portion of your day cleaning up potty accidents.

If your Shih Tzu deals with untreatable incontinence, consider making the following changes to keep things cleaner, easier, and more comfortable:

Potty Pads

Place potty pads around her sleeping area and in her bed so if she has an accident, you can easily swap out the pads.

This makes clean-up easier on you, but also, your pooch doesnt have to sleep in a wet bed.

You can also place some potty pads along the pathway to the door if your pup still knows to go outside to use the potty, but she just cant make it there all of the time.

Of course, its understandable that you would prefer not to have potty pads all over your home. Instead, you can purchase a dog bed with a removable cover that is easy to wash.

You can also place a plastic protective cover over her bed, with a soft blanket on top. That way, if she does have an accident, all you need to do is wash the blanket.

You may still be able to find a special dog bed that could be ideal for some dogs with incontinence issues.

These beds are typically raised off the floor and made of a mesh material.

You can place potty pads on the floor below the bed, and if your pup has an accident, the urine goes through the mesh onto the pad below. You would need to change the pad and just wipe down the mesh or give it a spritz with a water and vinegar solution to keep it clean.

Although incontinent dog beds are getting harder and harder to find these days, here's a mesh dog bed on Amazon that may fit the bill.

Install a doggy door

If your pup can still go outside to use the bathroom, but she just cant hold it for long periods, you can install a doggy door. This way, your pup has 24/7 access to her bathroom. And if you work long hours, this could be an excellent solution for you.

However, it isn't advisable to leave your Shih Tzu outdoors without supervision, especially in extreme weather.

Move your dogs bed

Senior dogs dont move around as fast as they used to and often spend a good portion of their day sleeping.

After being still for a long time, it can be tough to get moving, and if your pup has a long way to go to get outside, they might not make it in time to use the bathroom.

Reposition their bed or pillow as close to the door as you reasonably can. Just ensure you dont place it somewhere that isolates your dog or is not a safe spot (such as near a heater or in an overly drafty area).

If you dont have a doggy door, make sure to be attentive to signs that your pup needs to go to the potty.

Go for more walks during the day

If your dog is able, take her for more frequent, quick walks throughout the day. Not only will this provide her with some exercise, but it can also lessen the number of accidents she has indoors.

Dog diapers & belly bands

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to help a pup that cant make it outdoors fast enough and urinates often is doggy diapers and belly bands(which you can easily get on Amazon typically at a better price than in dog specialty stores.)

There are specific styles for males and females, and they are made of absorbent materials to help contain accidents. These also come in disposable which is easier to clean up, or washable which in the long run will save you a lot of money.

Of course, the trade-off for no accidents in your home is that you have to remember to change your dogs diaper often. Therefore, you might want to purchase several so your pooch can still wear one while youre washing the other.

One option is to purchase regular sanitary pads (maxi pads) and place them inside the diaper. This can help catch more urine. Plus, you can just swap out the pad during the day and not have to worry about washing the diaper until overnight.

Final thoughts

Part of enjoying the loving companionship of a devoted dog is to care for your pup as she gets older, providing her with the things she needs.

Remember, her incontinence isnt anything shes doing on purpose; its just a common part of senior-dog life.

No matter how you decide to approach your Shih Tzus incontinence, remember to do so with love and patience.

Shih Tzu Follows Me Everywhere: Should I Be Concerned?

My Shih Tzu follows me everywhere? Its the question that many Shih Tzu owners ask us. If your Shih Tzu follows you, it may be a sign that they are overly attached to you, which can lead to separation anxiety and otherbehavioral problems. On the other hand, it could also be a sign of a strong bond and affection.

In this article, well explore why your Shih Tzu may be following you everywhere and offer tips for encouraging more independent behavior.

Before we dive in, its important to remember that every dog is different, and what works for one dog may not work for another. If youre concerned about your Shih Tzu behavior, its always a good idea to consult a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer.

Why does your Shih Tzu follow you everywhere?

It can be pretty annoying at times that your Shih Tzu follows you everywhere you go. But there must be a good reason for it:

1. Showing Love

The most likely reason your Shih Tzu follows you everywhere is that they love you! Shih Tzus are known for being loyal and affectionate dogs and often bond closely with their owners. If your Shih Tzu follows you around constantly, its a good sign that they see you as their best friend.

2. Want Your Attention

Another reason your Shih Tzu may follow you everywhere is that they want your attention. Shih Tzus are known for being attention seekers, and they may become anxious or depressed if they feel like theyre not getting enough of your time. If your Shih Tzu follows you around constantly, it may be a sign that theyre feeling neglected and looking for extra love and attention.

3. Curiosity

Shih Tzus are also known for being curious dogs, which may be another reason they follow you everywhere. If something new in your house or you start doing something different, your Shih Tzu will likely want to check it out and see whats happening. This curiosity can sometimes lead to trouble, but it can also be one of the things that makes Shih Tzus such fun and engaging companions.

4. Want to Protect You

Another possible reason your Shih Tzu follows you everywhere is that they want to protect you.While Shih Tzus are not typically bred as guard dogs, their loyalty to their owners can sometimes lead them to try and protect them from perceived threats. If your Shih Tzu follows you around constantly, it could be a sign that theyre trying to keep an eye on you and ensure you stay safe.

5. Boredom

If your Shih Tzu follows you around constantly but doesnt seem to be exhibiting any other signs of separation anxiety or insecurity, they may just be bored. If your dog needs more exercise or stimulation, they may start following you around to find something interesting to do. It can often be remedied by increasing your dogs activity or providing them with more toys and puzzles to keep them occupied.

6.Anxious or scared

Another reason your Shih Tzu may be following you is that they feel anxious or scared. It might be due to a change in their environment, such as a move to a new house, or it could be caused by something that has happened to them, such as being attacked by another dog. If your dog seems anxious or scared, try taking them to the vet for a check-up to see if there is an underlying medical condition causing their anxiety.

Related: Shih Tzu Anxiety: How To Deal With It?

7.Need to go potty

If your Shih Tzu starts following you around more than usual, it could be because they need to go potty. Dogs often follow their owners when they need to go outside to relieve themselves. If your dog starts following you and then stops and sniffs around, its a good indication that they need to go potty.

Related: How Often Should A Shih Tzu Poop: A Comprehensive Guide

Should I be concerned, if my Shih Tzu Follows me everywhere?

Many people find it flattering when theirdog follows themeverywhere. After all, its a sign of affection, right? Well, not necessarily. Sometimes, it is a sign that your dog is anxious or stressed. If your Shih Tzu follows you everywhere you go, it could be because hes worried hell lose sight of you and end up alone. It can be especially true if youre the only person he spends time with.

While its sweet that he wants to be near you all the time, giving him some space and having some time on his own is essential. Otherwise, he may become overly clingy and suffer separation anxiety. So, if your Shih Tzu follows you around a bit too much, its essential to take some steps to help him relax and feel more comfortable on his own. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a needy little shadow instead of a confident, independent dog.

What can I do to Stop my Shih Tzu from Following me?

While it can be flattering to have an animal so devoted to you, it can also be a bit of a nuisance. If youre looking for ways to stop your Shih Tzu from following you around, here are a few tips that may help:

1. Establish rules where your Shih Tzu is allowed to go

If you dont want him in the kitchen, ensure he understands that he is not allowed in that room. Set up barriers or gates as necessary to enforce the rules.

2. Get a second dog

Another option is to get a second dog. It will give your Shih Tzu someone to play with and may help to keep it from following you as much. Just ensure you get a dog compatible with a Shih Tzu, as some breeds can be pretty aggressive.

Related: Best Companion For Shih Tzu: Human, Dogs, Or Cats?

3. Give your Shih Tzu its own space

If you dont want to get another dog, try giving your Shih Tzu its space in the house. It could be a crate or a playpen where the dog can go when it wants some alone time. You can also put the dog in another room when youre not home, so it doesnt need to follow you around.

4. Take your Shih Tzu for walks

One of the best things you can do for your Shih Tzu is to take it forwalks. It will give the dog some exercise and allow it to explore its surroundings. If you take your Shih Tzu for walks regularly, it may be less likely to follow you around all the time.

5. Play with your Shih Tzu

Another way to stop your Shih Tzu from following you is to play with it more often. Dogs are social creatures and need interaction with their owners. If you spend more time playing with your Shih Tzu, it may be less likely to follow you everywhere you go.

6. Give your Shih Tzu attention

Make sure you are spending enough time with your dog and giving it the love and attention it needs. If you neglect your Shih Tzu, it may start following you around to get more time and attention.

7. Train your Shih Tzu

If nothing else seems to work, you may need to train your Shih Tzu not to follow you everywhere. It will require patience and consistency on your part, but if done correctly, it can be an effective way to stop your Shih Tzu from following you around all the time.

Conclusion

Its perfectly normal for a Shih Tzu to follow his human everywhere. Its a sign of a strong bond between the two of you. There is no need to be concerned about this behavior unless it becomes excessive and starts to cause problems in your daily life. If thats the case, there are some things you can do to stop your Shih Tzu from following you so closely. But, until then, enjoy those moments when he showers you with his love and companionship. Have you ever experienced this behavior from your own Shih Tzu? Let us know in the comments below!